Plain or barbed wire defense coil



Nov. 3, 1964 'G. SIE FFE RT $155374 PLAIN 0R BABBED WIRE DEFENSE COILFiled June 16. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 NOW /N VENTOR GEORGES SIEFFERTATTORNEYS Nov. 3, 1964 s. SIEFFERT 3,155,374

PLAIN OR BARBED WIRE DEFENSE con.

Filed June 16. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I IN VENTOR: Gaonees SIEFFERT BY:mqewm'r ATTORNE V6 IN VENTOR GEORGES SI F R m @6144 dud rm ATTORN 5 Y5United States Patent 3,155,374 PLAIN QR BARBED WIRE DEFENSE (IUILGeorges Sieifert, Impasse du Moulin, Bar-le-Dnc, Mensa, France FiledJune 16, I961, Ser. No. 117,642. Claims priority, application France,lune 17, 1960, 830,477, Patent 1,2679% 8 (ll-aims. (Cl. 256-4) Thisinvention relates to defense coils or rolls of plainor barbed wire,adapted to be uncoiled or spread and set as an obstacle.

As described in the French Patent No. 1,100,507, wire defense coils havealready been proposed which consist of a wire Wound continuouslyaccording to a helical pattern and comprise between adjacent groups of aplurality of turns of same diameter one or more intermediate turnshaving a smaller radius of curvature. A coil of this type has beendeveloped with a view to prevent any longitudinal progression within thecoil itself.

However, a coil of the type broadly set forth hereinabove is attended bymany drawbacks. Firstly, the inner and outer defense networks are madefrom the same wire. Besides, the wire pattern is not regular, so thatinequalities in the network distribution are observed when the coil isspread or expanded, these inequalities constituting in many casesapertures facilitating the passage through the defense coil. Finally, itis hardly possible to modify the form of embodiment of the inner defensenetwork.

It is the object of this invention to provide a defense coil whereby thedrawbacks broadly set forth hereinabove are eliminated.

To this end, the plain or barbed wire defense coil of this invention ischaracterized in that it comprises two coaxial networks formedseparately and constituting an outer network and an inner networkrespectively, the inner network having a smaller diameter than the outernetwork, the two networks consisting each of one or a plurality of wireswound as a helix, the number of turns of the inner network per unitlength being smaller than the corresponding number of turns of the outernetwork, and that means are provided for hooking or otherwise securingthe inner network to different points of the periphery of the outernetwork.

When spreading or setting the coil, the inner defense network iselongated and its diameter decreases, thus preventing any progression ofan individual in the longitudinal direction within the network.

It is another advantageous feature of the defense coil of this inventionthat the mesh size of the inner network may be set at will, that is, byincreasing or reducing the pitch of its turns, according torequirements. Furthermore, by using a suitable type of staples forassembling the different turns of the inner network with each other theinner network may be caused to act either as a traction spring or as acompression spring. If the inner network constitutes a compressionspring, it will thus compensate the tractive effort which mustnecessarily be exerted on the outer network during the spreadingoperation, so that means weaker than usual may be used for anchoring thecoil on the ground. It is even possible to use the coil on grounds thatwill not hold conventional anchoring means for example on sand, etc.

On the otherhand, with the method of constructing defense coilsaccording to this invention it is possible to meet the requirementsconcerning the prescribed weight of each defense element, as long as thewire constituting the inner defense network is not compulsorily of thesame gauge as the wire constituting the outer defense network; besides,with this method it is possible to determine at will the passagedefense, the tractive effort or 3,l55,374 Patented Nov. 3, 1964pressure, and finally the number of wires to be cut by an individualattempting to pass through the roll in the transverse direction.

Various forms of embodiment of the invention will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings given by wayof illustration, it being understood that many modifications may bebrought thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims. In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of a defense coilconstructed according to the teachings of this invention, the coil beingshown in .its operative-or spread condition;

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the defense coil of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a diagram illustrating a modified embodiment of the defensecoil also shown in its spread condition;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the coil shown in FIG. 3;

FIGURE 5 is a developed view showing one portion of the defense .coil;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view showing the outer network of a defensecoil without the inner network;

FIGURE 7 is another elevational view showing the complete defensecoil ofFIG. 6, that is, incorporating-the inner network;

FIGURE 8 is an end view of the coil shown'in FIG. 7;

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view-showing the mandrel or drum used forwinding the inner network of the defense coil;

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view taken upon the line X-X of FIG. 9;

FIGURE 11 is a longitudinal section of the winding drum or mandrel,after winding theouter network thereon and before stapling the turnsthereof with one another and with those of the inner network;

FIGURE 12 is anend view taken from the left hand side of FIG. 11,showing the winding mandrel;

FIGURE 13 is a diagrammatic front view showing the inner network;

FIGURE 14 is an end view of the same network;

FIGURE 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the stapling of the innernetwork to the outer network.

In FIG. 1, the defense coil illustrated diagrammatically in-its spreador operative condition comprises an outer network 1 and an inner network2 coaxial to the outer network. The inner and outer networks areillustrated in the form of a pair of helical coils; actually, as will beexplained hereafter, the successive turns of each helix are hooked orstapled with one another .at certain points in order to impart a properrelative rigidity to the assembly.

The inner network 2 comprises a number of turns per unit length which issmaller than that of the outer network 1. As a result, when the coil isspread or set the inner defense network 2 forms a cylindrical bodyhaving a diameter D considerably smaller than, the diameter D of theouter defense network '1.

The inner network 2 is hooked at spaced intervals to the outer network 1for example by meansof assembly wires such as 3 stapled or hooked atpoints 4 and 5 on the outer network 1 and inner network 2, respectively.The stapling points 4, 5 may be distributed at .will along the networks1, 2. FIG. 2 shows these hooking points as located at the vertices of aregular pentagon, but it will be readily understood that any otherarrangement may be used without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. 7

In FIG. 3 the hooking or stapling wires 3" are dispensed with andreplaced by a suitable alteration of the shape of some of the turns ofthe inner network 2. In fact, as shown more in detail in FIG. 4, atspaced longitudinal intervals one turn of the helix constituting theinner network 2 is elongated to form a curved outer portion 2asubstantially tangent, at several points 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, to the cylinderon which the helix of the outer network 1 is formed. The turn sections20: are stapled or hooked at these points, 6, 7, S, 9, It on the outernetwork 1 to provide the proper connection between the two net works.

Now a typical embodiment of the defense coil of this invention will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 5-8. FIGS. 6, 7 show the front half ofthe coil in thick lines and the rear half in broken lines in order tofacilitate the understanding of the structure.

In FIG. 6 the outer network 1 consists of a wire wound as a helixwherein the successive turns are stapled together at points 11, 12, 13,14, constituting the vertices of a regular pentagon. Of course, thenumber and distribution of these stapling points may differ from theexample shown in this figure.

The inner network 2 is obtained according to the pattern illustrated inFIG. 8. The successive turns of the inner network are assembled with oneanother at points 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

In FIG. 7 it will be seen that when the defense coil is spread to itsoperative position the inner network 2 is elongated considerably morethan the outer network 1, so that its diameter decreases and the innernetwork constitutes an eflicient protection against any longitudinalprogression within the coil.

In FIGS. 9 to 12 of the drawing there is shown diagrammatically anapparatus for forming a defense coil according to this invention. Thisapparatus comprises a transverse flange 21 overhung from a shaft 22adapted to be rotatably driven through any suitable means. The flange 21carries five longitudinal rods 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 supporting at theirouter ends a transverse support consisting for example of a pentagonalmember 28.

In order to form the inner network of the defense coil, this apparatusis further provided with another assembly of five longitudinal rods 30,31, 32, 33 and 34 carrying at spaced intervals guide plates 35 extendingradially therefrom. The rods -34 are each carried by the ends of twoarms 36pivoted by means of pins 37 on the one hand on the aforesaidsupport 28 and on the other hand on the fiange 21. The arms 36 arelocked in position by pins 38.

On this winding mandrel the inner network is formed by winding as ahelix a suitable wire engaging on the one hand the rods 23-27 and on theother hand the rods 3ti34. At regular intervals this wire is caused topass over one of the guide plates so as to provide turn sections 2aelongated in the outward direction.

Upon completion of the winding of the inner network 2, the successiveturns are stapled with one another by means of staples or clips disposedat points 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21 as shown in FIG. 8.

When the stapling of the inner network is completed the apparatus isprepared for winding the outer network 1. To this end an assembly ofouter rods 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 carried on the one hand by recessesformed in the flange 21 and on the other hand by connecting plates 45secured on the vertices of the pentagonal support 28 are mounted on theapparatus. Thus, the rods 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 are disposed on the sameradii as the inner rods 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, respectively.

Having thus mounted the outer rods 40-44, the operator winds the outernetwork 1. The wire constituting this network passes over the outer rods40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and also periodically over the guide plates 35 havingalready received the turn sections 2a of the inner network 2.

Then, the successive turns of the outer network 1 are stapled with oneanother and the defense coil'is completed by stapling the turn sections2a. to the outer network 1, preferably at or in close vicinity of theguide plates 35.

Upon completion of the stapling operation, the pin 38 are removed andthe different arms 36 are rotated about their pivot pins 37 in order toretract the guide plates 35 inwardly. Then the connecting plates 45 andouter rods 40-44 are removed, and the coil assembly can be removed fromthe winding mandrel.

In the form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, the innernetwork consists of circular turns 21 having a diameter D and everythird turn begins from successive points a, b, c of turns 22 closed bystapling at these points. Thus, these turns are free; their shape isaltered substantially according to an ellipse having its minor axis=Dand its major axis=D the latter being on the other hand the diameter ofthe outer network. To facilitate the understanding, the starting pointa, b, c of the free turns are shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 as being alignedin a common diametral plane of the network; actually, in order to ensurea better symmetry of this network the points a, b, c are preferablyshifted angularly from one another along a helix, as shown in FIG. 14,wherein the angle of shift is of the circumference from one point toanother.

At the end of their major axis where they are tangent to the turns 23 ofthe outer network having a diameter D the free turns 22 of the innernetwork are stapled at 24 on said turns 23 of the outer network.

This network may be formed without difiiculty on the machine describedand illustrated herein, at the cost of minor alterations as will bereadily understood by anybody conversant with the art.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What I claim is:

l. A wire defense coil, comprising an outer relatively small diameterwire wound in a coil of relatively large diameter and with relativelywidely spaced convolutions, an inner wire of relatively small diameterwound in a coil of less diameter than the coil of said outer wire, saidinner and outer wire convolutions being such that there is a free spaceof substantial dimension within said inner wire and between said innerwire and said outer wire, and means securing said inner wire to saidouter wire at a plurality of locations spaced along the length of saidwires.

2. A wire defense coil, according to claim 1, wherein said meanssecuring said inner wire to said outer wire comprises a connecting wire.

3. A wire defense coil, according to claim 1, wherein said inner wireincludes at least one turn extending outwardly into contact with saidouter wire for connection thereto.

4. A wire defense coil, according to claim 1, wherein said inner wire iswound at a plurality of locations spaced along the length thereof withconvolutions extending outwardly into contact with said outer wire.

5. A wire defense coil, according to claim 1, wherein said inner wireincludes at least one convolution formed of a diameter substantiallyequal to the diameter of the winding of said outer wire and contactingsaid outer wire at at least two diametrically opposite points.

6. A wire defense coil, according to claim 1, wherein said inner wireincludes at least one convolution which includes portions extendingoutwardly on opposite sides into contact with said outer wire and beingconnected thereto.

'7. A wire defense coil according to claim 1, wherein said meanssecuring said inner wire to said outer wire at a plurality of locationsspaced along the length of said wires 5 comprises separate connectingwires each formed in a flattened coil shape with an outer end of thecoil connected to said outer wire and with an inner central portionconnected to said inner wire.

8. Wire defense coil according to claim 1, wherein said means securingsaid inner wire to said outer wire at a plurality of locations spacedalong the length of said wires comprises convolution of Wire, each Wireconvolution being formed in a flattened coil shape with portionsextending outwardly on opposite sides into contact With said outer wireand being connected thereto, the beginning of said convolution beingconnected to the end of the said convolution so as to flatten said coilshape convolution.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSGleason et a1. Oct. 12, 1937 Endsley Aug. 22, 1944 See July 30, 1957Ciccone et al. Oct. 20, 1959 Doerr Oct. 20, 1959

1. A WIRE DEFENSE COIL, COMPRISING AN OUTER RELATIVELY SMALL DIAMETERWIRE WOUND IN A COIL OF RELATIVELY LARGE DIAMETER AND WITH RELATIVELYWIDELY SPACE CONVOLUTIONS, AN INNER WIRE OF RELATIVELY SMALL DIAMETERWOUND IN A COIL OF LESS DIAMETER THAN THE COIL OF SAID OUTER WIRE, SAIDINNER AND OUTER WIRE CONVOLUTIONS BEING SUCH THAT THERE IS A FREE SPACEOF SUBSTANTIAL DIMENSION WITHIN SAID INNER WIRE AND BETWEEN SAID INERWIRE AND SAID OUTER WIRE, AND MEANS SECURING SAID INNER WIRE TO SAIDOURT WIRE AT A PLURALITY OF LOCATIONS SPACED ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAIDWIRES.